Bhubaneswar: As many as 2,163 villages from 64 blocks, 64 wards of 13 urban local bodies (ULBs), and approximately 4,54,800 people are expected to be affected by Cyclone Dana across 11 districts in Odisha, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khordha, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Jajpur, Cuttack, and Dhenkanal, according to Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.
Speaking at a press briefing this evening, Minister Pujari reported that 4,17,626 people have already been evacuated to safer locations, where they are being provided with cooked meals. A total of 7,284 shelters have been established, with 5,209 currently operating at full capacity.
Pujari added that 862 quintals of flattened rice (chuda) and 97 quintals of jaggery (guda) are being distributed to the displaced populations. Around 500 livestock have been affected due to incessant rainfall.
He also informed that 213 medical teams and 120 veterinary teams have been deployed across the state. Additionally, 3,654 pregnant women are being shifted to healthcare facilities and maternity homes (MAA Gruha) for their safety.
To assist in relief efforts, 385 total response teams have been deployed, including 19 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, 51 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, 95 Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC) teams, and 220 Fire Service teams. Furthermore, the Rural Development Department has dispatched 256 teams to help clear and restore roads.
Present at the briefing, held at the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner in Rajib Bhawan, were Special Relief Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary of Rural Development and Information & Public Relations Department Sanjay Kumar Singh, and other senior officials.
According to the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Severe Cyclonic Storm “Dana” continues to move north-northwest at 13 km/h. As of 2130 hours IST, it was located near 20.10°N latitude and 87.30°E longitude, approximately 60 km east of Paradip, 80 km south-southeast of Dhamra, and 180 km south-southwest of Sagar Island.
Cyclone Dana is likely to move further north-northwest and is expected to make landfall between Puri and Sagar Island, near Bhitarkanika and Dhamra, during the night of October 24 and the morning of October 25, 2024. The cyclone will make landfall as a Severe Cyclonic Storm, with wind speeds of 100-110 km/h, gusting up to 120 km/h.
